Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., November 30, 2007 Kislev 20, 5768 | | Israel Time: 06:20 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. (Reuters Archives) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 03:34 30/11/2007 Police recommend closing case into Olmert on Bank Leumi affair By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Bank Leumi, police  Israel Police recommended Thursday that the State Prosecution close the criminal case into Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's role in the privatization of Bank Leumi, citing a lack of evidence. Police will now hand their recommendation along with the investigative material to the prosecution, which will determine whether to continue legal proceedings. The Prime Minister's Office said Olmert would refrain from responding to the developments until after the prosecution decision, Israel Radio reported. Advertisement The investigation team met Thursday afternoon with the head of police investigations and intelligence Yohanan Danino, unanimously deciding that there was not enough evidence to justify charging the prime minister. "The investigation team unanimously believes that the evidence does not necessarily support a single and sole version [of events]," said a statement released by police. "Due to all of the aforementioned material, the National Fraud Investigation Unit's senior officers and the investigation team are convinced that there is an insufficient evidentiary basis against Olmert to support the charge of breach of trust." The tender for Leumi's privatization was issued in November 2005, about four months after Olmert replaced Benjamin Netanyahu as finance minister. At Olmert's insistence, several changes were made in its terms, including a new method of calculating the exercise price of the options that were included in the sale package. Olmert said the changes were designed to encourage strategic investors to bid for the bank. However, suspicions later arose that the changes had in fact been aimed at aiding a bid by Australian businessman Frank Lowy, an old friend of Olmert's. In the end, however, Lowy did not bid for the bank. The prime minister was questioned under caution about the affair last month. In recent months, police focused on trying to determine whether the changes Olmert imposed actually reflected Lowy's interests. In recent weeks, sources involved in the investigation had said that it was possible to adopt two contradictory legal assessments of Olmert's behavior, the first of which would have justified charges, while the other would not. The same sources said the team became convinced in recent days that recommending against an indictment would be the right course of action, due to concerns that prosecutors would have a hard time convincing the court to adopt the first assessment. Police had originally planned to issue the recommendation on Sunday - just two days before the U.S.-sponsored Middle East peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, but delayed the announcement after being approached on the matter by numerous MKs and public figures. Related articles: Police delay recommendation on indicting PM until after summit Olmert: My 'hands were clean' in the sale of state's Leumi shares Police: If PM provides 'reasonable' answer over Leumi affair, case will be closed Police finish probe of Olmert on Bank Leumi affair Bookmark to del.icio.us Do Jews have a say? How much influence should Diaspora Jews have over Israel's decision? Nixon's nuke concern Former U.S. president feared Israeli nukes would spark an arms race.   1.   OF COURSE THEY DID! IT WAS OBVIOUS!HE BRIBED THEM! 17:58  |  THE END IS NEAR 29/11/07   2.   illegalities 18:24  |  daat y 29/11/07   3.   Not only "unanimously" but with 137% of the voters as Lefties`re 18:31  |  Absolute Sweden 29/11/07   4.   They would not delay the decision ... 18:31  |  Vladimir 29/11/07   5.   The Knesset is a Reptile Show 18:46  |  S.Lithery 29/11/07   6.   Corruption is RAMPANT!!!! 19:02  |  Jason 29/11/07   7.   Olmert is giving Yerushalyim to Arabs so he can stay out of jail 19:28  |  Worst PM Ever 29/11/07   8.   Teflon Man slips off the hook yet again 21:47  |  Merlin 29/11/07   9.   Israel Third World Member When It Comes to Corruption 22:20  |  Yoram 29/11/07   10.   Glad ! 22:22  |  Esther 29/11/07   11.   well is`nt that a suprise 22:33  |  Bob 29/11/07   12.   OLMERT AGREED TO 1949 ARMISTICE LINES & CORRUPTION CHARGE DROPPED 23:01  |  Nannette 29/11/07   13.   Show some respect people to the man who will make it for you 23:45  |  Simon Mohammed 29/11/07   14.   Olmert is becoming my friend 23:52  |  Ahmadinejad 29/11/07   15.   The curious parallel 02:58  |  Mark Lincoln 30/11/07   16.   How convenient. Just like in Sharon`s case. 06:02  |  Terry 30/11/07

Today Online Olmert to Haaretz: Two-state solution, or Israel is finished Responses: 498 Algerian minister: Sarkozy in power thanks to Jewish lobby Responses: 189 Rice said to compare life in U.S. south to Palestinians' plight Responses: 209 Report: Nixon feared Israeli nukes would spur arms race Responses: 96 Debate rages on World Jewry's role in peace concessions Responses: 104 Rosner's Domain If I forget thee Jerusalem, you can forget about us Poll: So, was Annapolis a success? Travel Jewishly (and pay more) Rosner's Guest: Israeli-Palestinian negotiations are still Rice's show More Headlines 04:34 Washington: No place yet for Syria in peace process 03:43 U.S. introduces UN resolution endorsing Israel-PA peace deal 01:51 Abbas: Now is the moment of truth for Palestinian statehood 05:13 Report warns against proposal for funding of W. Bank outposts 03:02 Romanian Jewish groups, anti-Semites reportedly join forces 06:12 Detroit man pleads guilty to charges of bid to aid Hezbollah 05:57 Justice Minister: More defense lawyers will be made judges 23:41 Police, teachers clash, halting Labor Court hearing on strike 22:41 MK Orlev: Police have 'rolled out the red carpet' for Olmert Previous Editions Select Day 29 nov 28 nov 27 nov 26 nov 25 nov 23 nov 22 nov 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 16 nov

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